What to buy at Target? A whole lot of stuff, according to my wallet. There’s only one thing I like more than I like Target: a screaming deal that beats Target. With Target price matching just about any other store and the RedCard giving you another 5% off, beating Target’s prices on anything isn’t easy to do. But it can be done.
Here’s a quick list of things you should never buy at Target because you’ll get a better deal somewhere else. Become a savvy shopper by knowing Target’s price match policy. Already bought something and found a better price? Here’s what you need to know about Target’s return policy.
Bookmark the best Target deals and Target coupons so you never miss a deal.
1. Don’t buy a Target Nintendo Switch; buy it at Best Buy instead.
There are plenty of Target video game deals out there, but buying a Target Nintendo Switch is a different story. We rarely see heavily discounted prices on the Nintendo Switch throughout the year. Target does offer the occasional Switch bundle deal during Black Friday, and you can always get a 5% discount with your RedCard, but we want more!
In December 2021, Best Buy had a Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle with 3 months of online access for $299.99. That’s $58.98 of extras included in this bundle that you wouldn’t get at Target.
See all the Nintendo deals here.
- Best Buy (Nintendo Switch – Neon Blue/Neon Red Joy-Con + Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Download) + 3month Nintendo Switch Online membership): $299.99
- Target (Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con): $299.99
Note: This is only the console.
2. Don’t buy Target bikes for the kids; buy them on Walmart.com instead.
Kids’ bikes are like kids’ shoes — they outgrow them too fast to justify spending more money than is necessary.
When it comes to Walmart vs. Target, Walmart.com is definitely the place to go for your kid’s new bike.
Here’s the interesting thing: on the surface the 16″ Huffy bikes below seem to be the same. But since they’re not the exact same make and model, Target won’t price match them. Shop Walmart online and save over $20:
- Walmart (Huffy 16″ Flashfire Bike): $98
- Target (Huffy 16″ Whirl Orange Bike): $119.99
- Walmart (Huffy 16″ Disney Frozen bike): $98
- Target (Huffy’ 16″ Disney Frozen II bike): $119.99
3. Don’t buy Target pregnancy tests; buy them at Walmart instead.
I bet you thought I was going to say to shop at Dollar Tree. Psych! Walmart is the cheapest place to get a pregnancy test. The price of a Walmart generic brand pregnancy test might make you skeptical of the accuracy, but even if you buy a couple just to be sure, you’ll still save money. My doctor even said they’re fine to use.
Plus, when you compare them to name-brand Target pregnancy tests like First Response or Clearblue, you’ll save as much as $12 at Walmart.
- Walmart (Equate First Signal One Step Pregnancy Test): $0.88 each
- Target (Up & Up pregnancy test): $6.99, or $3.50 each
Plus, the Up & Up pregnancy tests get some terrible reviews, with customers claiming they’re defective. Yikes.
4. Don’t buy Target Sonicare replacement heads; buy generic ones on Amazon instead.
Regular Target Sonicare replacement heads can be pretty pricey. If you want to save the most money, buy the Amazon generic version because they’re much cheaper at $1.70 per head. Not only are they significantly cheaper, but they also have great reviews. Plus, if you add them to your Amazon Subscribe & Save orders, you can save up to 5% more.
- Amazon (Generic replacement heads): $1.70 each
- Target (Sonicare replacement heads): $9 each
5. Don’t buy your bread at Target; buy it at Dollar Tree instead.
Dollar Tree sells Oroweat bread, and it’s the lowest regular price you’ll find on that brand anywhere. Bread at Dollar Tree isn’t expired, but it’s closer to expiration than bread at Target, so throw it in the freezer or make a nice sandwich plate when you get home.
Sometimes, Dollar Tree just beats Target.
- Dollar Tree (Oroweat bread): $1.25
- Target (Oroweat bread): $3.79
What products do you avoid when you’re picking up your Target haul? Let the rest of the KCL community know in the comments below!
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